It appears that a trend is
developing in aviculture, which I find both frightening and
disheartening. As the popularity of cockatoos continues to
increase, these birds are being bred in increasingly greater
numbers each year, particularly the Moluccan, the Umbrella, the
Goffin’s, and some of the Sulphur-crested species. At the same
time, the number of mature cockatoos offered for sale daily in
newspapers throughout the country is staggering.

Avian rescue and adoption centers, permanent sanctuaries, zoos
and wildlife parks, humane societies and individual foster homes
are beginning to overflow with these once-treasured companions. I
believe that, in reality, this problem will not only continue, it
will worsen. One of the largest segments of this population of
"problem" birds consists of sexually mature or maturing
males.
The number of cockatoo owners who call to ask me if I know of
someone who will take their aggressive or unmanageable male
continually surprises me. They wonder whether he should be put
into a breeding program. Perhaps putting him on drug therapy will
help control the behavior. They want to know if he can be
neutered. In the more extreme cases, owners sometimes even
consider euthanasia. More people are expressing their desire to
add a female cockatoo to their companion parrot flock. However,
what is to happen to those young males who have been tried and
found guilty of undesirable behavior before having the opportunity
to prove that they truly can provide a rewarding, entertaining,
and harmonious long-term relationship?

What will the lasting result be if we continue weeding out or
eliminating these "unacceptable" birds whose only
mistake was to be born into a captive environment where their
natural instincts and behaviors are often misunderstood? Will we
end up with a gene pool of ‘acceptable’ personality traits for
breeding that we know will produce offspring of the same, with no
natural and instinctive influences? I don’t think so. Or might
the number of males of some species become so depleted that we no
longer have a group of healthy non-related birds from which to
choose for breeding? This has already become a concern for several
avian species held in captivity.

Would it not be a wiser and more responsible choice for us to make
every effort possible to help them adjust positively to this
life-style that we have imposed upon them, and stop blaming these
"mean" or aggressive birds for not adequately fitting
into the human mold?

OBSERVATIONS :

I feel that aggression is not, in itself, a natural avian
behavior. But rather, that the aggression often described by
companion parrot owners and breeders is more likely the result of
instincts such as the need to prove dominance, fear and
territoriality which have become confused in the bird’s mind.
The impetus to display certain behaviors can be very strong in
some species, at varying ages. The most obvious of these is the
urge to choose a mate and reproduce. Another instinct often
manifested is the need to achieve and maintain a certain position
within the flock, regardless of whether "the flock"
consists of birds or humans. Let me emphasize at this point that
not all cockatoos, particularly males, will make apparent or
assertive attempts to become the flock leader. I have stated my
opinion a number of times that many of the birds who exhibit that
particular type of behavior in captivity are the same birds who
would be genetically predisposed to fight for the role of flock
leader in the wild.

Further, I do not mean to imply that it is only those birds who
would be in contention for the role of flock leader that will show
aggression toward flock members, a mate or a human caregiver. On
the contrary, we know that there are many variables that can lead
to this type of behavior.
While basic instincts do not need to be taught, young birds in
their native habitats do indeed learn from observing their parents
and other adult birds in the flock, and many natural behaviors are
consistently and positively reinforced. Young birds in the wild
have older, adult avian role models who teach them how to
correctly and effectively use certain behaviors to achieve a
desired goal. However, our captive-bred birds typically lack this
type of natural training.

As they mature, both male and female cockatoos in the wild
learn successful methods of protection and defense. They learn how
to interact with other flock members on a social level as well as
in a family unit or mini-flock, how to care for young, build
nests, choose and attract a mate, and much more. In a breeding or
pet situation, when natural instinctive feelings occur and there
is no role model nor any memory of one to guide the behavior,
birds may become confused. In this scenario, reactions may become
totally instinctual, or a combination of instinctive and negative
learned behavior, which can lead to conflict with either the human
or a mate.

Another observation ... it is true that aggressive behavior can
be learned by birds. When working with a cockatoo who is feeling
confused or frustrated by internal instinctive or hormonal
influences, or who is attempting to become dominant, one of the
most common errors is to use forceful body language or
vocalizations in an attempt to correct the bird or regain control.
A valuable lesson I have learned over the years is that with many
of these birds, aggression is met with aggression. Our actions may
be perceived as a direct threat, and so in the mind of the bird,
we (the humans) are initiating a confrontation and must be
challenged. Typically, the more aggressive we become, the more
aggressive these dominant birds become. Some cockatoos may have a
very different reaction to human aggression, leading to other
problems. Therefore it is critical to observe and understand a
bird’s behavior and not make an automatic assumption that his
aggression is totally the result of a struggle for dominance,
instead of from fear or the need to protect himself or a member of
his human flock.

LEARNED AGGRESSION:

Relative to the concept of learned aggression, I find it
interesting that I have neither seen, nor read research of, mate
aggression in breeding pairs that was thought to be learned by one
bird from another bird in an adjoining aviary. For example,
Long-billed Corella’s are thought by many to be one of the most
difficult of all cockatoos to breed. There are indeed documented
instances of mate aggression with this species, often severe. We
had one proven pair where the male was extremely dominant and
would periodically corner the female in the nest box, or chase her
around the flight for long periods of time. Very often there were
beak battles and on a few occasions, some bloodshed. None of the
other cockatoos housed in aviaries in that same area showed
similar behavior, even though from certain parts of each flight,
pairs could see other pairs. This same behavior was true of one of
our male galerita galerita’s, yet breeding pairs surrounding
them never exhibited mate aggression in any manner.

Although breeding situations or environments may be similar, the
personality and genetic makeup of individual birds are major
contributors toward their actions and reactions to various
circumstances. Interestingly, mate aggression appears to be
somewhat less likely in wild caught and domestically bred
parent-raised birds, yet it certainly does happen.

SPECIES & GENETICS :

In comparing data on cockatoo species and individual birds in
breeding situations who exhibit this aggressive characteristic,
the variables can be numerous. Unfortunately, there is often a
lack of documented information on the origin of these birds, past
breeding success or failure, and behavior patterns. Some species
in which the males seem to be more prone to aggressive behavior
toward the female are the Long-billed Corella, Umbrella, Greater
Sulphur-crested and Moluccan. Those who are thought to be among
the least aggressive with mates (again, from personal observation
and research) include Rose-breasted’s and several of the Black
Cockatoos.

This is not a blanket statement, and I hesitate to identify
those cockatoos who may, in various settings, show aggressive
behavior for fear some people might assume that I am saying all
males of certain species will behave in this manner. That is
certainly not the case. I feel it is critical to a greater
understanding of these traits and behaviors in breeding pairs that
breeders keep accurate written records of specific birds, paying
close attention to their daily activities, and recording that
information in writing or on video over an extended period of
time.

On a positive note, there are breeders, some with long-term closed
aviaries, who have already begun these efforts to carefully
observe and document the behavior of their pairs. These same
breeders are making sure that pairs are indeed compatible, are
providing spacious breeding environments that are visually
stimulating and interesting to the birds, and that offer unlimited
opportunities for physical activity and the release of energy and
frustration. That latter is particularly important for the males.

I have no doubt that genetics can potentially influence the
personality and behavior of our birds. Yet, the assumption that
genetics will always have a specific influence or outcome can be
refuted. How often have we seen a clutch of baby parrots who have
the same parents, and who have been raised in exactly the same
manner, (*) and been amazed when those birds, after successful
fledging and weaning, show very distinct and differing
personalities?

This reminds me of a recent conversation with a woman concerning
her male Greater Sulphur-crested Cockatoo. This is a beautiful
healthy bird who has consistently exhibited a very dominant
personality since about nine months of age. He is in a very
positive and nurturing environment with knowledgeable and
experienced bird owners, yet the dominant personality and
continual "testing" have never subsided. On the other
hand, his male sibling lives with friends just a few miles away,
and his behavior is completely different. He has never shown any
signs of dominance or aggression, is very relaxed and calm, enjoys
lots of personal interaction, and is overall much less demanding.

If we believe that the parent birds did indeed pass on certain
genetic information governing certain personality traits, perhaps
we could conclude that both siblings did not receive the same gene
for dominance. I feel that, although particular birds may indeed
be genetically predisposed to certain behaviors, there is no way
to definitively determine whether or not this trait will actually
surface.
Someone asked me recently if medical studies had been done to
identify similar genes in dominant birds, linking the tendency
toward aggressive behavior. One of the major challenges I see in
conducting a meticulous scientific study on this particular
subject, is that it would require documented case studies, as well
as genetic identification, beginning with hundreds of unrelated
same species birds (for example: Umbrella Cockatoos) in a
controlled environment.

With pairs who successfully mate and produce chicks, each chick
would have to be monitored continually through weaning and
fledging, and of course there are many variables that can come
into place during this time (hand-feeding, parent raising,
environmental factors, fledging, weaning, health, etc.). In the
interests of this type of research, these young birds would then
need to remain in that same type of physical environment,
following the same routines and diets as the parent birds, until
such time as they could be placed with a mate for breeding or into
a pet situation. Then the cycle would begin again. An extensive
data base would have to be set up to track and document the long
term behavior of pairs, as well as the dominant or aggressive
behavior of pet birds. This type of project, outlined very briefly
here, would not only require a phenomenal financial and emotional
commitment, but would need to remain ongoing for more than the
lifetime of the average person in order to obtain reliable data.

Whenever we try to study either behavioral or genetic influences,
there are often many unknowns. These include the history of the
individual bird, including diet and physical health, as well as
how the bird was raised. Further, can we accurately determine if
this was a wild-caught or domestically bred bird? Has it
previously been in a pet situation? Has it ever been tried or
proven as a breeding bird? What is the typical pattern of behavior
for this individual bird? Even basic questions, such as the age of
the bird, or whether it has been surgically or DNA sexed, can be
difficult to determine. Our efforts to try and find common threads
for comparison meet with an incredible challenge.

EFFECTS OF EARLY DEVELOPMENT

There are several stages during the physical and emotional growth
of cockatoos, indeed throughout their lives, when these complex
animals are highly impressionable. However, the two periods that I
feel are extremely critical, and potentially have the most impact
on the long-term behavior and development of these birds, are
weaning and sexual maturation.

In the wild, not all parents raise their babies in the same
manner. Nor for that matter do they rear each chick in a clutch
exactly the same way. Just as in human infants, there are those
babies who are more confident, who are naturally bigger and
stronger, and there are those who require more nurturing.
Cockatoos have varying clutch sizes of between one to four chicks,
although some will occasionally lay five or six eggs. When feeding
and raising these babies, the parents are extremely busy from dawn
to dusk, foraging and protecting their young. While it may seem
that the babies in the nest are only concerned about their empty
crops, during this entire process they are learning everything
they will need to know in order to successfully care for their own
young when the time comes.

Watching the fledging and weaning process of cockatoos in their
natural habitat teaches us a great deal about the love, tenderness
and concern these parents show for their young. Even in the wild,
there are birds who, for whatever reason, are not yet ready to
wean, even though the majority of other juveniles in the flock
appear to be totally food independent. So how do the parents deal
with this situation? They don’t abandon the baby and leave it to
its own devices, try to chase it away or get rid of it so they can
go back to nest, or completely ignore it as if thinking,
"Hey, you’re old enough to be on your own so leave us
alone!" Those devoted parents will continue to feed their
persistently begging young until such time as it, not the parents,
determines it is ready to break that dependency.

Whether this lengthy weaning process is the result of a physical
or emotional need, or both, we have no way to accurately document.
What we do know, is that the end result is an independent bird who
is then prepared to continue the learning process for becoming a
well-adjusted and self-confident adult cockatoo.

These facts bring some questions to mind. What effect does the
lack of this firsthand knowledge, passed in the nest from parent
birds to their young, have on our domestically bred hand-raised
pets? What about these former pets whom are placed into breeding
programs? Could this possibly be one of the contributing factors
in the difficulties breeders sometimes experience when trying to
successfully match pairs of mature hand-raised cockatoos? Is this
perhaps one of the reasons some former hand-raised pets do not
make good parents, at times killing the babies or refusing to feed
them?

STRUGGLE FOR DOMINANCE:

In the wild, when cockatoos begin to reach sexual maturity, they
do not automatically behave in the same manner. This is a period
when the strong instinct to find a mate and breed also brings
about another natural behavior, which is to leave the family unit
to seek out a partner. I know of many cockatoos that have changed
their human bond during sexual maturity, including our own male
Umbrella. This does not mean that companion birds, even extremely
dominant and assertive ones, cannot be taught and encouraged to
continue in a positive relationship with that original ‘chosen’
person, who in many cases may be the primary caregiver. However,
it does require a great deal of patience, understanding and
commitment from everyone involved.

Also, when approaching sexual maturity, some male cockatoos are
much more headstrong than others are. This may be due to something
else that may instinctively happen during this same time. This
headstrong behavior may be the result of a challenge by the young,
strong, dominant male for the position of flock
"leader". As mentioned earlier, I feel, after comparing
and documenting the behaviors of male cockatoos in captivity and
in the wild, that many of the birds referred to as super males are
those who would be genetically predisposed to take on the role of
flock leader in the wild. In captivity, the males who show this
tendency are often physically very large birds, who also project a
great deal of intelligence and may present quite a challenge for
their owners between the ages of three to six years. It occurs to
me that the very qualities we often consider to be a
"problem" are those that best suit that leadership role
in the wild. For many people, dealing with this type of bird in
captivity can be frustrating and, at times, frightening.

These particular males may become extremely territorial; in a
multi-person household such a bird might sometimes feel he has to
protect and defend his perceived mate against all intruders, even
if that "intruder" might be the person with whom he had
previously shared a very close bond. In the wild, such males would
use body posturing, intimidation and vocalizations to claim their
territory, nesting site, or mate, with perhaps an occasional beak
battle. However, the freedom they have in the wild to take flight,
along with the vastness of their natural habitat, prevent these
squabbles from becoming major altercations. In a domestic setting
however, the same instincts might result in the bird attempting to
literally chase a human intruder from the territory ... and it is
not amusing to be chased down the hall of your own home with a
sharp beak inches away from your heels.
To anyone who may currently be experiencing dominant (or what some
people refer to as "unpredictably" aggressive) behavior
in your pet cockatoo, I’d like to pose a question for you to
consider. Is what you are experiencing now at home with this bird
really so difficult to understand? Or is it more unexpected, or
disappointing, or unacceptable?

One of the most arduous tasks in dealing effectively with our
birds is that of making ourselves stop, stand back, and look
objectively at all the possible contributing factors in such a
situation, including our own behavior. We humans often trigger
certain behaviors in our parrots through environment, emotional
and intellectual stimulus, and our own actions/reactions.

Ironically, it can be so easy to offer support to other bird
owners going through these problems, while in our own lives this
objectivity can be far more challenging. Yet then, and only then,
are we truly able to move forward with a plan that will enhance
the bird’s quality of life and our long-term relationship in the
process.

BUILDING BLOCKS:

So, just how should we react in order to achieve and maintain our
own position as flock leader? This is an extremely important
issue, and although it may appear to be quite complex, the basic
philosophy is a simple one. Again, not all aggressive behaviors in
pet birds are related to sexual maturity or the struggle for
dominance. Beginning the work to achieve our own position is not
only easier when the bird is very young, but the long term effects
of these lessons, when they are taught and reinforced from an
early age with gentle guidance, are more successful and usually
more consistent. I am not saying that cockatoos that are
hand-raised in this manner will never have any problems. Nor is it
my intention to infer that all birds that do not have these
benefits, or have had multiple owners, will.

These simple steps are the building blocks to establish or
maintain a positive connection with your companion cockatoo. While
it is important to appear confident and gently assertive, we must
at the same time, work diligently to gain our bird’s trust and
respect, along with developing his/her own independence and
self-confidence. That trust, coupled with confidence and respect,
are the keys that can overcome almost any obstacle. We sometimes
confuse "assertive" with "aggressive", and
"independence" with "neglect". When that
mistake is made, the relationship can suffer dramatic changes,
usually for the worse.

Obviously we cannot let dominant pet cockatoos rule the domestic
roost. We need to be authoritative and persistent with our verbal
commands, and any attempts on their part to intimidate us must be
handled quickly, positively, and confidently. At the same time
there should be no perception on the part of our birds that these
reactions from us are a "drama reward". Neither should
they perceive any of our actions as a possible threat or danger.

When living with a dominant or aggressive cockatoo, we need to
be continually alert to their actions and reactions. The real
long-term key is to learn the patterns of behavior typical for our
individual birds and be aware of when these more high-spirited
episodes, or periods of "testing", are likely to occur.
As soon as we sense that this is the case, whether through their
behavior or body language, the best thing to do is to change our
own behavior or the environment and respond immediately in order
to regain control of the situation, hopefully preventing a
confrontation. A more typical reaction for bird owners is a very
loud and perhaps hostile "NO!" along with a disapproving
stare. However, this "NO" and sustained direct eye
contact may merely act to further the aggression in a dominant
male cockatoo when interpreted (by the bird) as an act of
antagonism.

When faced with this behavior, people sometimes think,
"Oh, they’ll calm down in a minute." Perhaps they
will. Often however, if a cockatoo continues in some type of
energy perpetuating activity he will not calm down, but instead
grow even more contentious, eventually becoming almost out of
control, making it difficult for us to successfully handle the
situation.

Their game in this struggle for dominance is intimidation. That is
how it works in a wild flock. We must convince them that we have
absolutely no fear, even when we do, and that they will not be
allowed to usurp our position in this domestic flock. Some birds
learn this much more quickly than others. Male Umbrella’s can
certainly be among the most stubborn about accepting this lesson,
and often continue to test repeatedly.

On a positive note, in most cases where a dominant male
cockatoo is battling for the leadership role in a domestic
environment, the initial period of challenge is the most intense.
I have seen this in many cases as well as having experienced it
personally. We must be aware that the manner in which we handle
their first instinctive challenge will have a strong impact on our
permanent relationship.
When the bird is behaving calmly or playing happily, praise him,
talk to him sweetly and gently, or give him treats or cuddles.
Even if he is sitting almost asleep, we can speak quietly telling
him what a perfect angel he is and how smart, how pretty, and how
clever. In five minutes he may be a holy terror again, but we must
be persistent in following the pattern.

How do we respond when a bird is being overly aggressive inside
his cage? This is another example where it is vital for us to know
the individual personality of the bird. If you feel this is a
territorial or dominant posture, it is often best not to attempt
to get the bird out while he is behaving in an agitated or
aggressive manner. I can almost assure that you will be bitten,
although it may not be intentional. Learning when and how to avoid
a potential confrontation is necessary if we are to work through
this period of challenge successfully.

When this behavior is being
exhibited inside the cage, I suggest not automatically leaving the
room, even though you may be feeling agitated or frustrated. This
isn’t always easy, and we need to maintain complete calm,
internally and externally. If you must leave in order to keep your
emotions in check, come back after a few minutes and just go about
cleaning, feeding or other activities in a routine manner. Avoid
continued direct eye contact with the bird and keep your body
posture and facial expressions relaxed and confident. Talk softly,
to yourself if you like, or whistle, but basically you are
ignoring his threats without being ‘chased away’, which would
allow him to feel that he succeeded in making you flee his
territory. You might sit in a chair and read aloud (earplugs may
be necessary) and just wait until he has calmed down.

One of the most effective things I have tried over a period of
time is to approach the cage, again with no direct eye contact,
leaning over slightly as if looking inside the cage and just
talking softly in general. I just stand very calmly, as if I don’t
see the bird, even though he may be running back and forth,
ramming the side of the cage or screaming. Sometimes I might kneel
down beside the cage. If a foot comes through the bars I will very
carefully reach out, being sure that my hand is not close enough
to the cage for him to bite, and gently grasp the foot, rubbing a
toe between my fingers, talking or singing softly. If the bird
pulls away, fine. If he tries to bite, I simply ignore the
gesture. After a few minutes, I leave the room as if everything
had been perfectly normal. We should try whenever possible to
leave these interactions on a positive note, without anxiety. That
doesn’t mean we’ve won the war, only that one more explosive
conflict has been avoided.

When we appear calm and unthreatening, with no voice or body
aggression, we are addressing the "trust" issue. By not
running away, we are addressing the "dominance" issue.
If we work diligently to use both of these tactics to our
advantage, it is then just a matter of time before extremely
aggressive behavior will begin to diminish and/or vanish. Patience
is truly a virtue when working with these birds.

Remember that some birds are "morning" birds and some
are "evening" birds. There are a few wonderful pets who
don’t care what time it is, who never seem to be cranky, and are
always happy to come out of the cage for a cuddle. Learning their
preferences and how they relate to a bird’s behavior and
interactions with us can eliminate a great deal of stress, for
both parties.

Even if we feel guilty because our birds have been in the cage all
day while we were away, it is important to watch for warnings and
be aware of when those instances of extreme aggression are more
likely to occur. One of the most valuable lessons we can learn
concerning these birds is not to attempt to fight their natural
instincts. We may be able to successfully modify behaviors
resulting from these instincts, but not the instincts themselves.

For example, during the nearly 11 month period when our male
Umbrella was going through sexual maturity and exhibiting
extremely dominant behavior, I knew that if I tried to get him out
of the cage for play or cuddle time after about 5:00 p.m., I was
in for trouble. Even now, over a year later, he is much calmer in
the mornings and early afternoons.

If I attempt to force the issue, I am fully aware that there is
the possibility that I might be bitten, or at the very least, that
he may not be comfortable, which could therefore increase the
possibility of aggression, leading to a potential confrontation.
If he is tired and cranky, he does not know how else to tell me
that he would rather be in his "home," playing or
resting. Even my husband, who is now Umba’s adored one, cannot
have him out for more than a few minutes in the evening without
complete chaos erupting, particularly during those periodic times
of hormonal escalation.

In other words, this atmosphere is extremely trying and stressful
for all involved. We tried to change and overcome this
"problem," and finally learned to accept and respect it
as part of Umba’s natural behavior. We found a way to
compromise.

Let me add a word of encouragement to those of you who feel, or
have felt, that there is no hope for your current relationship
with an extremely dominant male cockatoo. There was a time, not so
very long ago, when I myself wondered if I would ever be able to
preen Umba’s crest, tickle under his wings, play peek-a-boo
under the covers, place him back in his cage successfully, or
breathe in that wonderful powdery cockatoo fragrance without
fearing that he might lunge at me, or worse.

This year, during February and March, he once again exhibited
vigorous nesting behavior and made numerous attempts to usurp my
position in the flock. I also have no doubt that this will happen
in years to come. Yet, for the majority of time there could be no
other companion cockatoo, male or female, who is more fun, more
entertaining, more loving, or gentler than Umba-do. What a tragedy
it would have been, for me, if I had given up, which would have
been the easier thing to do.

CLOSING:

Wild cockatoos are very precise in knowing their individual roles,
whether within a large flock or a family unit. Genetic and
instinctive influences, combined with learned behavior from the
parents and other flock members, tell them how to react when that
role is challenged or changed. In captivity, teaching those
lessons becomes our responsibility. When birds are sure and
confident of their roles they will accept them, even if they
perceive those to be a change from their previous roles, and even
though periodic testing for position may still occur. Our
responsibility lies in helping them to adjust so that they are
comfortable and happy with the new role and do not view us, the
environment, or other birds in the domestic flock as a constant
threat to their sense of security or stature.

We must all be willing to accept that our relationship with a
companion parrot will probably change. When this change may
happen, or to what degree, we cannot predict. However, this should
not be thought of as a negative, nor should we automatically feel
as if we have failed in some way when and if it does. None of us
as human beings remain the same in our actions, thought processes
or personal interactions. Neither do these still-wild animals in a
domestic environment. We all need to try and put that in
perspective and allow ourselves to adapt and change with them, for
the betterment of both parties. No guilt, no remorse, no
resentment or harbored hurt feelings for what once was. We must
focus on what is, and what can be.

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